Airline crew, children under five, excluded from mandatory testing

The Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye has announced that children under the age of five, aircrew and passengers on transit will not be tested for Covid-19 at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

“There are exemptions with the mandatory test….Children under five will not be tested because the risk is low, aircrew and transit passengers who do not require to enter the country will not be subjected to the mandatory test at the airport", he said.

Dr Kumah-Aboagye said this at a press briefing to outline details of measures put in place ahead of the resumption of air travel in Ghana on Monday in Accra.

In his 16th address to the nation on Sunday, President Akufo-Addo said the country’s air borders will be opened effective Tuesday, September 1, 20202.

He said, as part of the requirements, every passenger who arrives in Ghana must possess proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test.

He added that as part of the measures put in place by government for the resumption of travel, each passenger will undergo a mandatory Covid-19 test at the airport terminal, results of which will be available in thirty minutes.

Buttressing the point, Director General of the Ghana Health service said aircrew, transit passengers and children under age five will not be tested.

He also advised departing passengers to observe the mandatory wearing of facemask protocol.

 “For our departing passengers, as usual, the mandatory facemask should be observed, in compliance with the destination rules we have. Transit passengers who do not require to enter the country will not be subject to the mandatory test at the airport unless they are entering Ghana before they leave.”

Dr Kumah- Aboagye further stated that those who will test positive will be sent to Ga East Hospital for triaging after which the necessary protocols, treatment, isolation among others will be instituted for all of them.